Crambo to be given one more Cheltenham chance

Fergal O’Brien will give Crambo another chance to prove his worth at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle.

The eight-year-old disappointed as a leading contender in the day three feature at last year’s Festival and also failed to fire on his return to the track in last month’s Cleeve Hurdle, trailing home a well beaten fifth of six runners.

There is no questioning Crambo’s ability, though, given he is a dual winner of the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, and O’Brien is happy to roll the dice back at Prestbury Park on March 13.

“He came out of the Cleeve fine. If there was a race around Ascot on the same day as the Stayers’ Hurdle, we’d be going to Ascot, but there’s nothing for him really, so we’ll have another crack at Cheltenham and see if we can make it third time lucky,” he said.

“He’s in great form, he came out of the Cleeve very well and we’re very happy with him.”

O’Brien’s Festival team is also likely to feature talented mare Dysart Enos, winner of her first six career starts and third behind Burdett Road in Cheltenham’s Greatwood Hurdle in November.

The daughter of Malinas disappointed as favourite for the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot pre-Christmas and has since sidestepped possible engagements at the Dublin Racing Festival and in last weekend’s William Hill Hurdle at Newbury.

O’Brien added: “I’m glad we didn’t go to Leopardstown because the ground wasn’t quite right. We were going to go to the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on Saturday, but she just didn’t work as well as we’d have wanted on Friday.

“I’ve spoken to the owners and we’re going to go straight to Cheltenham with her for the Mares’ Hurdle.”

The trainer confirmed Trials Day winner Sixmilebridge is on course for the Turners’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, while recent Musselburgh scorer Tripoli Flyer could earn himself a shot at the Supreme if proving himself in a higher grade at Kempton on Saturday week.

“Tripoli Flyer will take in the Dovecote (Novices’ Hurdle) and if he comes out of that fine, he’ll go to Cheltenham. If not, he’ll maybe go to Aintree or Punchestown,” said O’Brien.